Residents get new village-style housing passed by council

Robert Duncombe, Dellan Dennis, Roy Harper, Michael Frost, Kathleen Harper (standing left to right), Nikolas Robinson, Patrick Goa, Sasha Fleming, Monique Nutter (crouching left to right) are banding together with others to build a new style apartment building, which they hope will give them the convenience and social support of a seniors centre, but in a way that lets them stay in control of their own home and exposure to people of all generations.Larry Wong / Postmedia

Edmonton approved zoning for its first co-housing apartment block Monday, creating a new option for those hoping to create a true village within the city.

The 26-unit apartment in Old Strathcona will be built with a great room large enough to host everyone for dinner, and a shared backyard and patio to let seniors and children interact. But each family or couple will have their own kitchen and living space in their condo as well.

It’s an ideal place to age, said Kathleen Harper, 80, one of nine core households putting the plan together.

“You need multi-generational friends and acquaintances … and it’s a secure environment to be friends,” said Harper.

“As you get older, you tend to become isolated. Your friends tend to be seniors or your family who drops in. But if you have an opportunity to see young people, maybe 30-year-olds and children, it’s excellent for your mental health.”

The building by Urban Green Cohousing will be four storeys, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units on 88 Avenue near 101 Street. The community is still finalizing the design and looking for other families and individuals interested in buying. The units in the $10.6-million building will be sold at cost.

This house on 88 Avenue west of 101 Street in Edmonton will be torn down to build a proposed apartment housing development.Larry Wong /
Postmedia

Della Dennis, 68, first started dreaming of this alternative when her father died and her mother wanted to move in with one of her daughters.

Dennis would have loved to have her nearby, but in her own home it was going to be a challenge. She ended up in a seniors’ home, but felt isolated and out of touch with her family. A decade later, Dennis is hoping this building means she and her children don’t face the same challenge.

It’s also a good way for her to reduce her carbon footprint, she said, pointing to the commitment to build to a high environmental standard, with more bike parking than stalls for cars. It will be built out of recycled sea cans with good sound insulation, a play room for children and extra suites for residents to book so they don’t each need a guest room.

Monique Nutter, planning to buy a unit with her husband and 11-year-old son, said co-housing originated in Denmark in the 1960s as a way to create supportive communities.

They have large common spaces, use design to encourage neighbours to interact, make decisions by consensus and share meals, at least every month or so. One was built in Calgary recently, and there are 160 others across North America, said Nutter.

Her parents also plan to buy a unit.

“Being the same building will make it easier, and they’ll have more than just me to interact with,” said Nutter. “My son will have, not only friends in the building, but adults and seniors. Maybe someone will know something about photography. He’s really interested in that.”

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